Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 14th, 2025 1:15PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs and Deep Persistent Slabs.
Kananaskis,
Avalanche Canada
Cooler temperatures are destined to move into the region on Thursday with light snow as the front approaches. We will take any snow we can as many areas are well below average for snowpack depths.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed.
Snowpack Summary
Winds have created some wind slabs in the alpine, especially on lee sides of mountain passes and cross loaded gullies. The snowpack varies a lot. Thicker areas at tree line and above with close to 100cm of snow have a much denser and stronger snowpack while most areas below tree line have 40-50cm and consist mostly of facets(sugar snow).
The weak basal facets are still a concern and have a potential to be triggered from thin snowpack areas which are still plentiful at this time.
Weather Summary
A cloudy day is forecast with temps around -2 in the afternoon. Winds will continue out of the NW into the moderate range and no new snow is forecast.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
Problems
Wind Slabs
5-10cm thick wind slabs.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Deep Persistent Slabs
If triggered, surface wind slabs may step down and involve this layer. Avalanche sizes could be surprisingly large if this happens.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 16th, 2025 3:00PM
